Compare 12/72 and 32/18
1st number: 12/72, 2nd number: 1 14/18
12/72 is smaller than 32/18
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 72 and 18 is 72
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 72 - For the 1st fraction, since 72 × 1 = 72,
12/72 = 12 × 1/72 × 1 = 12/72 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 18 × 4 = 72,
32/18 = 32 × 4/18 × 4 = 128/72 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 12/72 < 128/72 or 12/72 < 32/18
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